French Freedom Papers

Alan F. Brooke

Sir Alan Francis Brooke (1883 - 1963) was born in Bagneres de Bigorre, France.  At the age of eighteen he joined the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, England.  He proved to be a master strategist during World War I and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and bar for his efforts.  

During World War II, Brooke led England's home forces and worked on plans to defeat potential German attacks on England.  During this time Brooke worked very closely with Winston Churchill and American troops.  Brooke is often credited with the success of the Allies in WWII because of his insistence on weakening the Germans by fighting in Africa and Russia rather than invading France in 1942, as American forces had intended.  In fact, Brooke's staff drew up the plans for D-day, but given that the troops were primarily American, it was agreed that
Dwight Eisenhower should lead the invasion.  

After the war, Brooke received many honors, including:
 - being titled "Baron Alanbrooke" in 1945
 - being titled "Viscount Alanbrooke" in 1946
 - being knighted as a Knight of the Garter, Royal Order of Merit in 1946
 - being named a most distinguished member of the Royal Regiment of Artillery in 1946
 - being named Master Gunner of St. James's Park in 1946
 - being honored for his service in WWII by the governments of Poland, Belgium, France, Denmark, Czechoslovakia,    Greece, Portugal, Ethiopia, the Soviet Union, and Sweden ("Sir Alan Francis Brooke").  

 
  
  

  
Letters Sent by Alan F. Brooke:
  
Brooke to Billotte: 5/1/1942 
Brooke to De Gaulle: 6/15/1942
Brooke to De Gaulle: 11/18/1942
Brooke to De Gaulle: 1/12/1943

  
Letters Sent to Alan F. Brooke:

De Gaulle to Brooke: 5/4/1942
De Gaulle to Brooke: 6/16/1942
De Gaulle to Brooke: 11/15/1942
De Gaulle to Brooke: 1/9/1943

  
  
References:

  
"Alan Francis Brooke." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Oct. lllllllllllll2016<http://www.encyclopedia.com>.
  “Alan F. Brooke.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia.com. Web. 2016. 

  
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